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Jolyon Palmer doesn't feel either he or Kevin Magnussen have been appreciated enough by Renault this year.
Both drivers have struggled on the French manufacturer's return to Formula One, driving a car mostly developed by the cash-strapped lotus team last year.
At least on driver is set to lose their seat in the team next season with Nico Hulkenberg moving over from Force India, and a host of other names have been linked with the second seat.
But Palmer believes that both he and Magnussen have done enough to prove that they should be retained, but the bosses at the Anglo-French team haven't noticed.
"Do I think they appreciate everything we've done? I'm not sure," he said. "Kevin has done some great races as well and he's proven in 2014 [with McLaren] what he can do in a good car.
"He finished second in his first race, he out-qualified Jenson [Button] over the course of the year. Now two years on we're both struggling because the car is not really there," added the former GP2 champion. "Neither of us probably have not got the credit we deserve in a difficult car. And that's spurred on by the fact that one of us will be replaced.
"The car has been tricky and we've both done well, with mistakes but at certain points we've been doing a good job."
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (4)
Login to replyJutlandia
Posts: 191
I surely understand the frustration that Palmer expresses here.
And i'm afraid that Hulk is going to make an "Alonso" in the sense that Renault will not already next year be able to produce a compatible car.
Renault should have prolonged both KEV and PAL for next year, and then make a decision before the 2018 season.
Thats my opinion.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I agree, Renault will likely not deliver a race winning car next year, but the difference with Renault compared to McLaren is that they havent promised a racewinning car in the coming 2 years, only that this is a longterm project, and that should make things less disappointing for Hulk if they arent competitive next year.
I sort of agree that they should've waited one more year so they could gauge their drivers better, but at the same time I dont blame them, since Hulkenberg is a good driver who know how to develope a car.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Or rather a title winning car, pretty sure they at least hope to win races soon.
f1 benelux
Posts: 3,957
At this level there is no room for error! The costs are too high.. Jolyon is no leader, always complaining.. It's always the car, according to Palmer.. Kevin did underperform as well. Renault is making the right dicision. Same thing with an engine. If it does not perform, you change! There is no time to addapt or grow into ..